From the luxury Finnish jewelry brand Lapponia,
the 1974 piece "Kang's chain" created by Björn Weckström.
A sterling silver bracelet with a rough, matte texture, featuring irregular parts that look like mineral-rich or craggy rock faces.
The clasp is cleverly integrated into one of the links, making it completely invisible.
I was overwhelmed by a shape that feels more like a sculpture than jewelry.
I remember being moved when I first saw a gold brooch by Weckström at a vintage store in Tokyo,
and to be honest, I spent a few days researching Lapponia for this arrival, only to be overwhelmed once again by these pieces of jewelry that look like sculptures inspired by Nordic nature.
He graduated from a goldsmithing school in Helsinki,
but he also had a dream of becoming a sculptor, so he combined those passions
and started creating jewelry in the 60s while surrounded by the nature of Finland.
It’s a wonderful background characteristic of the Nordics, where gold and silversmithing are so accessible.
Georg Jensen also built his career as a silversmith while aspiring to pursue pottery.
Weckström’s jewelry features matte, brushed surfaces and angular designs,
and with their innovative synthesis of materials like gold, sterling silver, and acrylic resin,
I believe they were truly clever, revolutionary, and unique for their time.
In fact, they still look incredibly fresh even today. That is what makes them amazing.
If these pieces were inspired by, for example, a frozen, snow-covered lake,
then we have nothing to do but be grateful for Finland’s nature and climate. lol
Truly, these are all pieces that make you want to collect them.
I couldn't stop digging.
It goes without saying that the brand was quickly recognized around the world;
it reached the point where John Lennon ordered a piece from Gothenburg to gift to Yoko Ono.
He continued to create innovative modernist jewelry well into the 70s.
As a side note, it’s a famous story that two years after making this "Kang's chain" in '76,
he received a call from George Lucas—though he didn't know who he was, he decided to work with him,
and provided the "planetoid valleys" necklace worn by Princess Leia in the original 1977 Star Wars film.
Lapponia was integrated into another company in 2020, sadly ending its 60-year history.
I was able to acquire this from a jewelry dealer in Paris who is a collector of Scandinavian jewelry himself.
I am happy and honored to be able to handle it personally for the first time.
It is a rare piece of silver jewelry, and there is no guarantee I will encounter the same one again.
It’s easy to misread as "Lapponia," but I’ll let you know that the pronunciation is "Lapo-nia." lol
Hallmarks
925
= Sterling silver 925
V7 = Indicates manufacture in 1974.
Finland Lapponia = Made in Finland, Lapponia.
BJORN
= Designer's first name
*The silver has been polished and cared for once.
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Material - silver 925
Diameter - 18-18.5cm Inner circumference when clasped
weight - 60g
Model wrist circumference Mens 16cm / Ladies 14cm
Condition - Condition There are fine scratches and some areas where the matte finish has worn off, revealing the shiny silver beneath; the traces of it being well-loved only add to its coolness. In any case, this is how it will naturally look with long-term use, so you don't need to be afraid of getting the first scratch—it's the kind of piece you can even wear continuously.
Personally, it doesn't bother me at all, but since it is not in brand-new condition, it is priced accordingly.
